Diversity Excellence Scholarship

The Diversity Excellence Scholarship (DES) recognizes the academic achievement and potential of students who, through sharing their varied cultural perspectives, will enhance the excellence of the University. The University of Oregon offers these scholarships as part of our diversity mission.

Award Information

Annual award amounts for 2017-18 were $6,500 for undergraduate students and $9,000 for graduate students. The scholarship is renewable with the length of eligibility based on the recipient’s grade level at the time of awarding. The DES cannot be combined with some tuition-remission programs such as the Presidential Scholarship, University of Oregon staff tuition rates or Graduate Teaching Fellowships.

Eligibility Requirements

Apply for admission by January 15, 2018 (incoming students) OR be a currently enrolled UO student. Only domestic students are eligible to receive the Diversity Excellence Scholarship; international students may not receive the DES.

Submit the 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor no later than February 1, 2018. List the UO as one of your choices. The school code is 003223.

Meet the DES minimum GPA requirements. All applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater to be considered.

In addition to the online application, all applicants must complete the following to receive full review:

An online reference written by a school official, teacher, member of a community organization, or employer submitted no later than January 29, 2018.

FAFSA submitted to the federal processor no later than February 1, 2018. List the UO as one of your school choices (school code: 003223).

If you are an incoming freshman, transfer student, new graduate applicant, or a new law applicant you are also required to submit the following:

An application for admission to the University of Oregon submitted by January 15, 2018.

Official Transcripts must be received by the Office of Admissions by February 15, 2018. (Incoming graduate students will need to provide transcripts to the Office of Admissions even if they have already supplied them to their academic department)

Selection Criteria

Scholarship recipients are selected by the Diversity Excellence Scholarship selection committee based on the following:

Past academic performance

Participation in campus or community activities

Preference given to students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities

Preference given to students with financial need as defined by federal guidelines

Preference given to first generation of the family to attend college

Preference given to Oregon residents

Scholarship Renewal

To maintain scholarship eligibility, you must:

Maintain full-time student status

Maintain a minimum 3.00 UO GPA

Make satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree

Meet regularly with a scholarship advisor

Award Notification

Freshman recipients will be notified by April 1. Non freshman recipients will be notified by late April.

Award

$6,500 annual award for undergraduates, $9,000 annual award for graduate and law students

Deadline

01/24/2018

Supplemental Questions

Please tell us your ethnic or racial identification:

American Indian/Alaska Native Background

A. If you are of American Indian/Alaska Native background, please tell us your tribal/affiliation:

B. Are you an enrolled member of this tribe?

Family educational history (highest degree attained by parents or guardians):

Tell us about a community service activity in which you were involved. Why did you choose to participate in that activity and why was it meaningful to you? How will you continue this kind of engagement?

Tell us about an academic experience that challenged you in some way.

Tell us about a diversity-related experience that tested your courage.

Reference Request

I understand that in addition to submitting the Diversity Excellence Scholarship application by January 24, a letter of reference must be submitted by my recommender by January 29. I authorize the university to share the reference submitted on my behalf to the selection committee for review as part of my application materials.

I understand that financial need is a factor in selection for the Diversity Excellence Scholarship and my 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) listing the University of Oregon must be submitted to the federal processor by February 1.

I understand that my past academic records are part of selection and that I must have a least a 3.00 cumulative GPA in order to meet the minimum requirements for this award. If I am an incoming student to the University of Oregon, I also understand that all of my official academic transcripts must be submitted to the UO Office of Admissions no later than February 15 in order to receive full consideration for this opportunity.